Ready to innovate? The second round of the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) Innovation Challenge for Entrepreneurs (HKH-ICE 2.0) is calling on entrepreneurs from Bhutan, Bangladesh (Chittagong Hill Tracts only), India (Indian Himalayan Region), and Nepal to develop scalable, market-ready, and ecologically grounded business solutions that can transform the resilience of mountain communities. The Global Resilience Partnership (GRP) and the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) are pleased to launch the second round of the HKH-ICE challenge seeks to accelerate locally led, market-ready innovations that strengthen climate resilience across one of the world’s most fragile and strategically vital mountain systems.
Problem
The Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) constitutes one of the world’s most critical socio-ecological systems. As the largest repository of ice outside the polar regions and a custodian of four global biodiversity hotspots, the HKH underpins water, energy, food, and ecological security far beyond its borders. It supports the lives and livelihoods of over 240 million people in mountain regions and sustains an additional 1.65 billion downstream through its ecosystem services, including water from ten major Asian river systems. Yet this vital region is now approaching a decisive threshold. Temperatures in the HKH are rising faster than the global average, driving glacier loss, erratic rainfall, shrinking water sources, biodiversity decline, and increasingly unpredictable hazards. These environmental shifts collide with existing socio-economic pressures, resulting in heightened water scarcity, lower agricultural productivity, degraded ecosystems, and a rapid erosion of traditional livelihoods. For mountain communities, many already isolated and underserved – these impacts are immediate and deeply felt. Despite these challenges, the HKH possesses extraordinary untapped potential. Its biological diversity, cultural knowledge systems, unique high-altitude value chains, and growing population constitute a strategic foundation for green, resilient, and regenerative economic pathways.
Challenge Partners
In response to these interconnected challenges, the Global Resilience Partnership (GRP) and the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) are jointly launching the HKH-ICE 2.0. Building on the success of the first round, this second phase aims to tackle persistent structural barriers that limit entrepreneur-led climate action, including weak market linkages, underinvestment in green enterprises, and the marginalisation of youth and women innovators.
HKH-ICE is an initiative of under ICIMOD’s Himalayan Resilience Enabling Action Programme (HI-REAP) funded through the UK International Development’s flagship Climate Action for a Resilient Asia (CARA) programme.
About
HKH- ICE 2.0 aims to support entrepreneurs from Bhutan, Bangladesh (Chittagong Hill Tracts only), India (Indian Himalayan Region), and Nepal to develop scalable, market-ready, and ecologically grounded business solutions that can transform the resilience of mountain communities. The Challenge prioritises innovations that address: i) Critical ecological and market constraints across HKH value chains. ii) Mobilise new forms of local entrepreneurship, technology, and regenerative practices. iii) Strengthen resilience for the most climate-vulnerable populations. iv) Deliver measurable benefits for biodiversity, ecosystem health, and nature-based economies. v)Advance gender equality, youth leadership, and inclusive economic participation.
Call focus
We are looking for innovative, scalable solutions that enhance resilience for communities and ecosystems across the Hindu Kush Himalaya region. For example, initiatives can focus on (but are not limited to) :
- Resilient Agriculture Innovations for Nature: Solutions that reduce the vulnerability of mountain agriculture to climate impacts, enhance biodiversity, improve rural incomes, and create market linkages for high-value niche products and non-timber forest products (NTFPs).
- Water Security and Resilience: Initiatives that address water scarcity, improve water management and services, and mitigate the effects of glacial melt, floods, droughts, and urbanisation.
- Climate-Resilient Sustainable Tourism: Models that promote sustainable ecotourism, benefiting local communities while preserving and restoring fragile mountain ecosystems.
- Climate Risk and Community Resilience: Solutions that reduce vulnerability to climate hazards in mountain regions through climate-resilient housing, improved risk-informed settlement planning, and inclusive support for climate-affected mobile or displaced populations.
Who can apply?
HKH-ICE 2.0 is open to for-profit organisations, local entrepreneurs and innovators seeking to implement projects in Bhutan, Bangladesh (Chittagong Hill Tracts), India (Himalayan states), and Nepal.
HKH ICE 1.0 winners are not eligible to apply for HKH ICE 2.0.
What will winners receive?
Winners will receive tailored mentoring, leadership development, communications, MEL, and resource mobilisation support. Additionally, they will receive prizes ranging from USD 5,000 to 25,000 to further develop and scale their solutions.
Application details
Timeline
- Timeline: Application window open from 15 December 2025 to 16 January 2026.
- Webinar: An information webinar for potential applicants will be held on 8 January 2026. Register here.
- Submission Deadline: Applications are due by 23:59 GMT on 16 January 2026.
- Notifications: Shortlisted applicants will be notified in February 2026.
Please email any questions to challenge@globalresiliencepartnership.org.